As the leading exporter of sweet potatoes in the United States, North Carolina faces potential economic strain as the Trump administration’s recent tariff increases intensify the ongoing trade war, placing farmers in a challenging position.
“Sweet potatoes are a big crop for North Carolina; in fact, our farmers produce over 60% of the total US market,” Steve Troxler, commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), told CJ. “Access to export markets is significant for NC sweet potato producers, with exports totaling over $129.3 million in 2024. European countries, Canada, and Mexico represent top buyers of North Carolina sweet potatoes.”
North Carolina has been the leader in sweet potato production since 1971, producing 64% of the nation’s crop. The largest producers are in Sampson, Nash, Wilson, and Johnston counties. The sweet potato was named the state vegetable in 1995 by the North Carolina General Assembly.
“I am encouraged that European leaders are discussing trade deals with the Trump administration,” continued Troxler. “North Carolina has been able to grow its production because of exports to Europe; so these European countries are key for sweet potato producers.”
Experts have outlined several key lessons that can be learned from the current trade war and the impact of tariffs on sweet potato farmers and exporters.
“One is that agriculture can inadvertently become collateral damage in broader trade disputes, as happened with the soybean industry,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, in comments to CJ. “While we understand the need to confront unfair practices, blanket tariffs can cause significant hardship for farmers — especially those who depend on exports to grow and diversify their markets, as well as the added cost pressures on inputs that come from other countries. These costs either need to be absorbed into already minuscule margins or passed onto consumers who already are feeling the pressure on their pocketbooks, and ultimately translates into lower consumption and lost sales.”
Predictability is another critical factor in the stability of the trade market. Without predictability, disruptions in the production process can lead to gaps or back-ups in the supply chain, ultimately causing a product shortage.
“Sudden shifts in trade policy disrupt planning, investment, and supply chain relationships,” continued Grainger. “Going forward, we hope to see more strategic, coordinated trade policy that includes agricultural voices at the table from the start — so that growers are protected, but not isolated from global opportunity.”
A growing percentage of North Carolina’s sweet potato crop is exported, mainly to Europe and China. Last month, China announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on North Carolina exports, which include fruits and vegetables. In addition, China’s tariff on US goods was recently increased from 34% to 84%.
“If those trading partners respond with retaliatory tariffs, which China already has, or shift to other suppliers, farmers here could face a sharp decline in demand,” said Kelly Lester, policy analyst for the Center for Food, Power and Life at the John Locke Foundation. “The sweet potato market has already been squeezed by rising input costs and labor challenges — adding trade instability to the mix could drive prices down and make it harder for growers to stay profitable. For many farm families, especially in eastern North Carolina, this isn’t just about economics — it’s about survival.”
The post The impact of trade war on NC sweet potatoes, other commodities first appeared on Carolina Journal.